Sound & Music

The PG Diploma in Sound and Music allows for specialised study in diverse music disciplines including composition, instrument design, musicology, performance and recording, while bringing together students across these areas (and more) to explore a broad range of topics through collaboration and individual research. The ethos of the course is based on the understanding that the practice and study of music is necessarily social, and that advancements in music inform, and are informed by, wider cultural, critical and technical practices. This course aims to connect students in adjacent subjects through access to elective modules from outside Music, as well as via participation in research seminars, ensembles, workshops, concerts and festivals delivered by SARC, QUB’s internationally-recognised centre for interdisciplinary research in sound and music.

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a minimum of a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a relevant subject, including music, performing arts, art and design, media production, ethnomusicology, and creative technologies. Exceptions may be made in the case of applicants with extensive relevant professional experience who are invited to submit an RPEL statement as part of the application.



Applicants seeking entry via RPEL are required to provide a statement which must include a sample of original work and a contextual paragraph about the work which will be assessed by the RPEL Assessor to determine if an offer of admission can be made. The statement must include a link to an online video recording of one of the following: an extract from a public performance, documentation of a sound-based installation, demonstration of a musical instrument design, or a recording of a composition (audio or video with the option of also submitting a notated score of the same piece). Recordings that exceed a maximum length of 10 minutes will not be considered, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the line to the work sample remains available online.



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 14 August 2026 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

1 year (Full-time)

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

Introduction

This programme is designed to boost students' career prospects across the Music industry both at home and internationally.